PETER O’BRIAN SMITH FLEEING DUDLEY SEX OFFENDER CAUGHT AFTER YEAR-LONG MANHUNT IN NOTTINGHAM

A man aged 37, identified as Peter O’Brian Smith, who had been on the run since committing serious sexual offences, has finally been brought to justice. Smith, a resident of The Broadway in Stourbridge, Dudley, disappeared in November 2014 following the commission of his crimes at a property located in Nottingham. His sudden disappearance sparked a lengthy manhunt, as authorities sought to apprehend him and bring him to account for his actions.

After nearly a year of evading law enforcement, Smith voluntarily surrendered himself to officers in the West Midlands. This surrender occurred exactly one year after he initially fled, marking a significant development in the case. His decision to turn himself in came after months of investigation and public interest in his whereabouts.

Prior to his arrest, Smith had already admitted to two counts of sexual offences involving a girl under the age of 13. These serious allegations underscored the gravity of his crimes and the importance of his eventual capture. His case was brought before Nottingham Crown Court, where he faced sentencing for his offences.

On Friday, April 8, Smith was sentenced to a total of four years and nine months in prison. The court took into account his attempt to evade justice during the year he was on the run, and as a result, the judge imposed an additional nine months imprisonment, which was to run concurrently with his primary sentence. This means that his total time behind bars will be nine years and nine months, with the additional sentence serving as a penalty for his flight from justice.

Furthermore, Smith remains subject to a Sexual Offences Prevention Order, a legal measure designed to restrict his activities and monitor his behaviour to protect the public. He is also required to sign the Sex Offenders’ Register for life, ensuring ongoing oversight of his conduct and location. His case highlights the ongoing efforts of law enforcement agencies in Dudley, Nottingham, and the wider West Midlands region to combat sexual offences and ensure offenders are held accountable.